South African Gets Life Sentence For Rape, Murder Of Six-Year-Old Girl

The Pretoria High Court on Thursday sentenced a De Deur man to two life terms and 10 years direct imprisonment for the kidnapping, rape and premeditated murder of a six-year-old girl, as well as obstruction of justice.

According to Lumka Mahanjana, the regional spokesperson for the Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority, on April 29, 2021, the girl, her brother, and a friend went to look for traditional cucumber in a bush near Makoso's house in Maboloka.

Makoso summoned the three children to his residence.

He then told his brother and friend to go home and put on shoes. He promised them fish when they returned.

The two boys left, and he led the little girl back to the bushes, where he raped, strangled, and burned her body.

There was no one at Makoso's house when the two boys returned.

The boys informed the young girl's aunt of what had occurred. Later that day, the aunt called the police to report the child missing.

The community and family began searching for the missing child and did not go to Makoso's house until the next day when they discovered the suspect and turned him over to the police.

On May 1, 2021, after his arrest, Makoso confessed to killing and burning the child’s body.

He then pointed out to the police where the incident occurred,” said Mahajan.

Makoso had first denied raping the child – this was stated in the pre-sentence report read by the probation officer in court.

Makoso also said that when he committed the other offences he was under the influence of drugs and that evil spirits had told him to kill the girl.

State advocate Thembile Nyakama told the court: “Makoso showed no remorse as he continued to deceive the court about what transpired that day.

“Until now, it is unknown how long Makoso kept the child captured, but it is safe to say the child spent her last moments alive in intense fear before her horrific death.

"The kidnapping was for his sexual gratification.”

The judge agreed with the state that Makoso was not remorseful and only wanted to be sentenced because he claimed he was going hungry in the awaiting trial cells.

Furthermore, it was stated that he killed the child because she wanted to return home, not because of evil spirits.

“The NPA welcomes the sentence as fitting in this gruesome case involving a child, especially at this period of the 16 Days of Activism against violence on women and children,” said Mahanjana.

“We commend the police investigating officer, Sergeant Julius Nkgoeng of Litlabile SAPS, for putting together valuable evidence to help the prosecutor secure the conviction and this sentence.”